Heart of the City by Steenz for August 15, 2023

No dance for you then, Heart.

I wonder how accurate to my memories of middle school dances this arc will be. I remember drinks in tiny plastic cups for an outlandish price, no one “went with” anyone at that age (the strip already differs from this), and none of the boys danced except the one boy who was a cheerleader, so all the girls danced together in a pack. Towards the end of the night a few of the more courageous guys worked up the nerve to ask the most popular girls for a slow dance (no one, and I mean no one, wanted to admit to liking anyone but the top three girls) but they were the minority and danced only slow dances. Most middle schoolers are socially awkward, it’s the age of peak meanness in girls, and middle school dances are the ninth circle of hell!

Then simply ask for a casual relationship. But I do like that it’s not the usual chesnuts of “he’s not good enoguh” Or “I don’t know” or “I don’t want to ruin our friendship” (The last one CAN be valid it’s just used a lotttttttt and often where it dosen’t apply), she just likes her freedom.

A truly strong white woman would go into a place of business and demand to speak to a manager for reasons that aren’t really so important.

Today’s International Apostrophe Day. When’s International Double-Negative Awareness Day?

Seventh grade was learning to survive, not planning mixers.

Overall, the strip is fine. But Steen occasionally has a payoff that lands with a real thud for me.

Still, better than most.

It won’t over yet. Heart will end up going with Brent.

Going to a dance with someone is not the same as dating them. Make that clear and enjoy the dance – unless you just don’t enjoy Brent’s company.

Atta girl Heart.